NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers eyeing $158M Pelicans star in potential reunion to bolster LeBron James'-AD championship push
The LA Lakers are reportedly continuing their search for assets they can trade for to add star power next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LA has been on the trade market looking for potential stars to maximize James' championship window.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer on Friday, Brandon Ingram is a potential target for LA. Fischer said that these rumors are coming from scouts. However, he clarified that he has not seen any signs that the Lakers are indeed pursuing a trade for the New Orleans Pelicans forward.
Fischer added that the Lakers are leaning toward adding someone who can bolster their perimeter defense and their frontcourt.
"Ingram's first NBA franchise is indeed whispered often by scouts as a potential destination for the next Ingram trade," Fischer wrote, via 'The Stein Line.' "But I haven't been given any indication that the Lakers are looking to pursue him now. All credible signals circulating about the Lakers suggest that L.A. is looking to fortify its frontcourt and add perimeter defense to assist LeBron James and Anthony Davis."
Ingram is in the last year of a five-year $158 million deal. Ingram signed an extension with the Pelicans in 2020 after he earned his first and only All-Star nod.
With Ingram set to hit free agency next summer, New Orleans could look to trade him if it does not reach an agreement on another extension.
Ingram already played for the Lakers. He was drafted by the franchise second overall in 2016. He spent the first three years of his career with the team before getting traded to the Pelicans.
That trade sent Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and three first round picks to the Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis.
Brandon Ingram already displayed his offensive prowess in first three years of his career with the LA Lakers
The LA Lakers drafted Brandon Ingram for his size and potential to become an elite scorer in the NBA. During his lone season at Duke, he averaged 17.3 points on 44.2% shooting, including 41.0% from beyond the arc.
In his NBA rookie season, he showed flashes of his offensive skill, averaging 9.4 ppg on 40.2% shooting. He leaped in his second season as he put up 16.1 ppg on 47.0 shooting. Along with Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, they led LA in scoring.
In 2018-19, LeBron James' first season with the Lakers, Ingram proved that he can be a reliable second or third option. While James led the team in scoring with 27.4 ppg, Ingram contributed 18.3 ppg and made 49.7% of his shots.
Ingram broke out in his fourth year — his first with the Pelicans. He recorded 23.8 ppg, won the Most Improved Player of the Year award and received an All-Star nod. Since that year, Brandon Ingram has averaged over 20 ppg each season.